Packaging unit comprising a packaging pouch and outer packaging

ABSTRACT

In a packaging unit with a packaging pouch and with a substantially dimensionally stable outer packaging, the outer packaging) is tubular with a tube axis and is configured with open ends and the ends, in the viewing direction of the tube axis in a first position, form a polygon with at least two sides enclosing an angle a&lt;180° and lying mirror-symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry and, in a second position, form a polygon with at least one side lying perpendicular to the plane of symmetry, wherein a straight fold edge runs in the first position between the corner points of the sides of the two ends lying mirror-symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry, and, in the second position, the sides of the two ends lying mirror-symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry form an angle a=180°, wherein the outer packaging can be brought from the first position into the second position by pressing in the straight fold edge(s), and wherein at least two curved fold edges run in the first and second position between the two ends in such a way that, in the second position, the outer face(s) of the outer packaging extending between the side(s) of the two ends lying perpendicular to the plane of symmetry is/are concavely curved.

The invention relates to a packaging unit with a packaging pouch made ofa flexible film-like first material and with a substantiallydimensionally stable outer packaging made of a second material, in whichthe outer packaging is tubular with a tube axis and is configured withopen ends, and the ends, in the viewing direction of the tube axis, in afirst position, form a polygon with at least two sides enclosing anangle α<180° and lying mirror symmetrically with respect to a plane ofsymmetry and, in a second position, form a polygon with at least oneside lying perpendicular to the plane of symmetry, wherein a straightfold edge runs in the first position between the corner points of thesides of the two ends lying mirror symmetrically with respect to theplane of symmetry, and, in the second position, the sides of the twoends lying mirror symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetryform an angle α=180°, wherein the outer packaging can be brought intothe second position from the first position by pressing in the straightfold edge(s), and wherein at least two curved or two straight fold edgeswhich are bent in the centre thereof run between the two ends in thefirst and second position in such a way that, in the second position,the outer face(s) of the outer packaging extending between the side(s)of the two ends lying perpendicular to the plane of symmetry is/areconcavely curved or bent inwardly by two level part faces.

A packaging unit of the type mentioned at the outset is known from EP 1798 159 B1. A substantial drawback of this known packaging unit is thatconcavely curved outer faces of the outer packaging, which are formedduring the pressing in of the straight fold edges from the first intothe second position, may tear along the fold edges at their free ends.The risk of tearing is high, particularly in the cardboard materialwhich is preferably used for the outer packaging.

The invention is based on the object of improving a packaging unit ofthe type mentioned at the outset in such a way that tearing of theconcavely curved outer faces of the outer packaging, which are formedduring the pressing in of the straight fold edges from the first intothe second position, along the fold edges at their free ends can also beprevented in tear-sensitive materials, such as, for example, cardboard,by simple means.

The fact that the outer packaging is divided along the straight foldedge(s) between the centre thereof and the open ends and at a spacingfrom the open ends and at a spacing from the centre over a respectivepart length leads to the achievement of the object according to theinvention in a packaging unit of the type mentioned at the outset.

In a preferred embodiment of the packaging unit according to theinvention, the ends, in the first position, form a hexagon with twosides lying parallel and two respective sides enclosing an angle α<180°and lying mirror symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry and,in the second position, form a quadrilateral with two sides lyingparallel and two sides lying perpendicular to the plane of symmetry, onerespective straight fold edge running in the first position between thecorner points of the sides of the two ends lying mirror symmetricallywith respect to the plane of symmetry, and the sides of the two endslying mirror symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry, in thesecond position, each forming an angle α=180°, it being possible tobring the outer packaging into the second position from the firstposition by pressing the straight fold edges against one another.

The curved fold edges or the straight fold edges which are bent in thecentre preferably run in the first and second position between thecorner points of the two sides of the two ends lying parallel to theplane of symmetry in such a way that, in the second position, the outerfaces of the outer packaging extending between the sides of the two endslying parallel to the plane of symmetry are convexly curved or bentoutwardly over two level part faces and the outer faces of the outerpackaging extending between the sides of the two ends lyingperpendicular to the plane of symmetry are concavely curved or are bentinwardly over two level part faces.

One end of the outer packaging expediently provides a standing face forthe packaging pouch projecting from the other end with a separableopening part.

The packaging pouch arranged in a pouch longitudinal directioncorresponding to the tube axis in the outer packaging is preferably atleast partially fastened to the inside of the outer packaging.

The part lengths of the outer packaging which are separated along thestraight fold edges are at least 20% of the length of the fold edges andare spaced apart by substantially at least 10% of the length of the foldedges from the centre thereof and the ends.

The outer packaging preferably has openings consisting of the twohalves, which are rotationally symmetrical with respect to the straightfold edges, the part lengths corresponding to connecting lines of therotationally symmetrical halves of the openings.

The fold edges which are curved in an arcuate manner are preferablysevered in at least one region extending over at least the centrethereof, forming at least one slot-like recess or at least oneseparating cut. This achieves a cushioning so the system does notflatten so rapidly upon lateral pressure.

The edge of the convexly curved outer faces between the fold edgeslimiting these is expediently provided with a curvature pointing awayfrom the standing face at the end forming a standing face. Afterclicking into the second position, this brings about a flat base andtherefore stability of the standing face.

A base with an insertion flap or an automatic base may be provided onthe outer packaging.

An important advantage of the packaging unit according to the inventionis, on the one hand, the flat pouch form of the first position, which isexcellently suitable for transportation, and, on the other hand, thecup-shaped, dimensionally stable second position ideal for removing thefilling product.

The pouch material and the outer packaging material are preferablyorganoleptically and chemically neutral mono-materials with respect tothe filling product.

The packaging pouch itself may be a stand-up pouch without its ownstability, a tubular pouch or an extruded pouch. The pouch material forthe packaging pouch according to the invention may, in comparison to thestiff material required for a stand-up pouch with its own stability,have a smaller thickness and is therefore economical. The removalopening which is formed after the removal of the opening part by lateralpressure on the straight fold edges of the outer packaging, owing to thedimensionally stable second position of the outer packaging, remainscompletely and permanently opened.

The pouch material of the packaging pouch according to the invention ispreferably a single-layer or multi-layer film made of plastics materialand optionally laminated with a paper layer, or a paper laminated fromplastics material, and is preferably present as a mono-material.

To avoid migration of extraneous substances into the pouch interior, thepackaging pouch is preferably unprinted.

The outer packaging material may be made of any economicalmono-material. A preferred outer packaging material is cardboard,corrugated cardboard or a transparent or opaque plastics material.Starch, maize and similar biodegradable materials are also suitable, forexample, for the outer packaging. The outer packaging may be printed asdesired.

The packaging pouch is suitable, in particular, for packaging drinkableor spoonable filling products and filling products that can be stirredwith liquid to form drinkable or spoonable products. A further preferredapplication area is the packaging of filling products which are providedfor heating in microwave ovens. The packaging is also suitable foranimal foodstuffs and for further filling products, such as, forexample, washing powder and other free-flowing and pourable fillingproducts.

Foods, such as for example soups, can be heated in the packaging pouchaccording to the invention together with the outer packaging in theopened state, optionally after stirring with cold water, directly in amicrowave device. The advantage here of the packaging unit according tothe invention is the heat-insulating outer packaging, which makes itpossible to hold it with the bare hand. The use of corrugated cardboardas a material for the outer packaging leads to a particularlyheat-insulating configuration.

With carbonated or uncarbonated water, the packaging system serves tostore the filling product and simultaneously serves as a drinkingvessel.

Depending on the type of filling product, this is also mixed withliquid, such as, for example, soup pouches with hot water, or thefilling product is already in a liquid or spoonable form, for exampleyogurt.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge fromthe following description of preferred embodiments, and with the aid ofthe drawings in which, schematically

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a packaging pouch with an outerpackaging in a first position;

FIG. 2 shows a section through a part of the packaging pouch with outerpackaging of FIG. 1 along the line I-I in an enlarged view;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the packaging pouch with outerpackaging of FIG. 1 in a second position with a separated opening part;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the outer packaging of FIG. 3 in anenlarged view;

FIG. 5 shows various punched-out forms for producing the openings of theouter packaging of FIG. 4 being used to interrupt the straight foldedges;

FIG. 6 shows the side view of the outer packaging in FIG. 4 in the firstposition;

FIG. 7 shows the plan view of the outer packaging of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows the side view of the outer packaging of FIG. 6 in thesecond position;

FIG. 9 shows the side view of the outer packaging of FIG. 8 rotatedthrough 90°;

FIG. 10 shows the plan view of the outer packaging of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 shows a side view of a different embodiment of the outerpackaging corresponding to the side view of FIG. 6, in the firstposition;

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the outer packaging of FIG. 11 inthe second position;

FIG. 13 shows a side view of the packaging pouch with outer packagingwith a first opening variant in the first position;

FIG. 14 shows a side view of the packaging pouch with outer packagingwith a second opening variant in the first position;

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a packaging pouch with outerpackaging with a third opening variant in the transition from the firstposition into the second position;

FIG. 16 shows a side view of a further embodiment of an outer packagingcorresponding to the side view of FIG. 6, in the first position;

FIG. 17 shows the plan view of the outer packaging of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 shows the side view of the outer packaging of FIG. 16 in thesecond position;

FIG. 19 shows the plan view of the outer packaging of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20, 21 show side views of the outer packaging of FIG. 4 in thefirst position with further options.

A packaging unit shown in FIG. 1 to 3 is composed of a packaging pouch10 and an outer packaging 28. The packaging pouch 10 which is producedfrom a flexible film material, such as, for example, polyamide, andarranged in the outer packaging 28, in the present example is a stand-uppouch with a sealed-in base, not visible in the drawing, a front wall 14and a rear wall 16. Two longitudinal sealing seams 18, 19 which arearranged laterally and defining a longitudinal direction l of the pouchconnect the two pouch walls 14, 16 projecting from the base and,together with a transverse sealing seam 20 connecting the longitudinalsealing seams 18, 19 at the end remote from the base, lead to the closedpackaging pouch 10.

The transverse sealing seam 20 at the end of the packaging pouch 10which is remote from the base is part of an opening part 26 that can beseparated from the pouch. To open the packaging pouch 10, the openingpart 26 is torn away along a tearing line 24 arranged in the pouch walls14, 16 and parallel to and at a short spacing from the transversesealing seam 20. Tearing notches 22, 23 with a tip ending at the tearingline 24 are provided as a tearing aid in the longitudinal sealing seams18, 19.

The tubular outer packaging 28 which is produced from a substantiallydimensionally stable material, such as, for example, cardboard, inparticular corrugated cardboard, the open ends 31, 33 of which lieparallel to one another and perpendicular to a tube axis z, encloses thepackaging pouch 10 in a first position shown in FIG. 1 with a front wall30 and rear wall 32, extends from the base thereof over the pouch walls14, 16 toward the opening part 26 and ends at a short spacing from thetearing line 24. The pouch longitudinal direction l of the packagingpouch 10 lies in the tube axis z of the outer packaging 28. One end 31of the tubular outer packaging 28 is used as a standing face for thepackaging unit, so the packaging pouch 10 does not itself have to bestable. The packaging pouch 10 can therefore also be a simple tubularpouch with a longitudinal seam, or an extruded pouch without alongitudinal seam with two transverse seams.

The packaging pouch 10 which is arranged in the outer packaging 28 is atleast partially fastened to the inside of the outer packaging 28. Thepouch walls 14, 16 are, for example, partially fastened to the inside ofthe outer packaging 28, in particular to the edge thereof close to theopening part 26 of the packaging pouch 10, by point-wise adhesive points36. A second adhesion preferably takes place, for example, approximatelyin the centre or even below the centre between the open ends of theouter packaging 28. This lower second adhesion gives the pouch 10increased stability in the outer packaging 28 and leads to improvedmounting of the pouch base.

The outer packaging 28 shown in FIG. 1 to 3 is shown in detail in FIG. 6to 10.

The tubular outer packaging 28 is produced by an overlap 34 of the twoends of a level pre-cut part and the adhesion of the ends in the overlapregion (FIG. 6, 7).

The open ends 31, 33 of the outer packaging 28, in the first position inthe viewing direction of the tube axis z, form congruent hexagons withtwo sides a, b lying parallel to a plane E of symmetry and tworespective sides c1, c2 or d1, d2 enclosing an angle α<180° and lyingmirror symmetrically with respect to the plane E of symmetry.

A straight fold edge g, h, in each case, runs between the common cornerpoints of the sides c1, c2 or d1, d2 of the two ends 31, 33 lying mirrorsymmetrically with respect to the plane E of symmetry.

In the second position shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 8 to 10, the open ends31, 33, in the viewing direction of the tube axis z, form congruentquadrilaterals with the two sides a b, lying parallel to the plane E ofsymmetry and the two quadrilateral sides c, d lying perpendicular to theplane E of symmetry and formed from the hexagon sides c1, c2 or d1, d2by widening the angle α to 180°. One end 31 of the tubular outer packing28 is used as a standing face.

In a first embodiment of an outer packaging 28, arcuately curved foldedges i, k, l, m run between the mutually corresponding corner points ofthe congruent quadrilaterals of the open ends 31, 33. Two mutuallyadjacent, arcuately curved fold edges i, k, l, m in each case form,together with the sides a, b, c, d connecting them, outer faces 37, 39,or 41, 43 of the outer packaging 28. The outer faces 37, 39 or 41, 43 ofthe outer packing 28, which oppose one another pair-wise, are concavelyor convexly curved pair-wise.

In a second embodiment of an outer packaging 28, indicated by dashedlines in FIG. 4, 6, 8, 9, straight fold edges i′-i″, k′-k″; l′-l″, m′-m″which are bent in the centre thereof run between the mutuallycorresponding corner points of the congruent quadrilaterals of the openends 31, 33. Two mutually adjacent straight fold edges i′-i″, k′-k″;l′-l″, m′-m″ which are bent in the centre in each case form, togetherwith the sides a, b, c, d connecting them, outer faces 37, 39, 41, 43 ofthe outer packaging 28. The outer faces 37, 39 or 41, 43 of the outerpackaging 28, which oppose one another pair-wise, are composed pair-wiseof two respective level part faces 37′-37″, 39′-39″ or 41′-41″, 43′-43″and are bent inwardly or outwardly.

The concavely curved outer faces 37, 39 in each case have two openings50, 52.

As emerges from FIG. 6, the outer packaging 28 is divided along thestraight fold edges g, h between the centre M thereof and the open ends31, 33 over a part length u, in each case. The separation has a spacings from the open ends 31, 33 and a spacing t from the centre M. The partlengths u of the outer packaging 28 which are separated along thestraight fold edges g, h are at least 20% of the length of the foldedges g, h and are spaced apart by at least 10% of the length of thefold edges g, h from the centre M thereof and to the ends 31, 33.

In the outer packaging 28 which is shown by way of example in FIG. 6,the latter has openings 50, 52, which consist of two halves, which arerotationally symmetrical with respect to the straight fold edges g, h,the part lengths u corresponding to connecting lines of the rotationallysymmetrical halves of the openings 50, 52.

As can be seen from FIGS. 6 and 7, the convexly curved outer faces 41,43 may also have openings 60, 62. The opening 60 may, for example, bedesigned as a tear-off part bordered by a perforation line. Thistear-off part, which is connected to the packaging pouch locatedtherebelow, is, if necessary, released from the outer packaging, so apour-out or shake-out opening is produced.

The contours of the open ends 31, 33 which are formed in the secondposition of the outer packaging 28 in the viewing direction of the tubeaxis z may, as quadrilaterals, be square or rectangular, with outwardlycurved side edges or with outwardly pointing corners, or may also haveother continuous or discontinuous contours.

The outer packaging 28 present in the first position can be pressedtogether in a planar manner, so the hexagonal sides c1, b, d1 restcongruently at the two ends 31, 33 on the sides c2, a, d2 lying mirrorsymmetrically with respect to the plane E of symmetry, and the foldedges i, k, or the outer face 41 bordered by them rest congruently onthe fold edges l, m or on the outer face 43 bordered by them. Likewise,the first halves of the outer faces 37, 39 which are bordered by thearcuately curved fold edges i, k, and the straight fold edges g, h restcongruently on the second halves of the outer faces 37, 39 bordered bythe fold edges m, l and the straight fold edge g, h.

In the first position, pressed together in a planar manner, of the outerpackaging 28, the openings 50, 52 can be produced by simultaneouspunching out of two halves, which are rotationally symmetrical withrespect to the straight fold edge g, h.

FIG. 5 shows a selection of punched figures, which representrotationally symmetrical halves of the openings 50, 52 with respect tothe straight fold edge g, h. The punched figures are not limited to theselection shown and may have practically any desired contours. Theopenings 50, 52 of an outer packaging 28 may all, or for examplepair-wise, have the same contour. However, the openings 50, 52 may alsoall have different contours on one and the same outer packaging 28.

As explained below with the aid of FIG. 6 to 10, the form shown in FIGS.3 and 4 of the outer packaging 28 is produced by transferring it from afirst position into a second position, forming the concave curvature ofthe outer faces 37, 39.

By pressing the straight fold edges g, h together between the openings50, 52 in the arrow direction A, the second position of the outerpackaging 28 is produced from the first position. The outer faces 41, 43of the outer packaging 28 extending between the sides a, b of the twoends 31, 33 lying parallel to the plane E of symmetry are formedpair-wise into convexly curved faces or bent outwardly over two levelpart faces 41′-41″, 43′-43″, and the outer faces 37, 39 extendingbetween the sides c, d lying perpendicular to the plane E of symmetryare formed pair-wise into concavely curved faces or bent inwardly overtwo level part faces 37′-37″, 39′-39″. When pressing the straight foldedges g, h together, the outer faces 37, 39 spontaneously spring,shortly before reaching the second position, into their dimensionallystable end position, which is concavely curved or bent inwardly over thetwo level part faces 37′-37″, 39 ′-39″.

It should also be mentioned here that the particular configuration ofthe outer packaging 28 with the two openings 50, 52 on the two sides ofa centre plane M does not only prevent the tearing of the outerpackaging 28 on the fold lines g, h in the region of the open ends 31,33, but simultaneously leads to the user pressing the outer packing 28together in the optimal region between the two openings 50, 52.

The second position of the outer packaging 28 shown in FIG. 6 to 10 has,for example, the following dimensions:

height H 80 mm first width A1 of the open ends 31, 33 50 mm second widthB1 of the open ends 31, 33 35 mm first width A2 halfway up (40 mm) 35 mmsecond width B2 halfway up (40 mm) 50 mm

Proceeding from these dimensions, all uniformly symmetrically enlargedor reduced forms, lead to ideal outer packagings with regard to theformation and stability of the second position. Obviously, other formswith differing proportions are also possible. Further possible formswith proportions differing from the ideal form can be determined bysimple tests.

The outer packaging 28 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 only has two arcuatelycurved fold edges i, l. In the second position, this produces only aconcavely curved outer face 37, and the open ends 31, 33 have asubstantially triangular contour.

In the packaging unit shown in FIG. 13, an opening 53 is not completelypunched out, but limited by a weakening line 51, for example in the formof a line perforation. The packaging pouch 10 is glued, for example byhot-melt, in the region of the weakening line 51 to the outer packaging28 in such a way that when the part of the outer packaging 28 freeingthe opening 53 and bordered by the weakening line 51 is separated, anopening is also produced in the packaging pouch 10 located therebelow.The packaging pouch is preferably also provided in this region with aweakening line. The separation which is required to protect the straightfold edge from being torn takes place simultaneously here with theformation of the opening 53, which can be used as a pouring or shakingopening, depending on the type of filling product.

In the packaging unit shown in FIG. 14, a weakening line 54, for examplein the form of a line perforation, is arranged below the upper end 33 ofthe outer packaging 28. The weakening line 54 begins at the straightfold edge g, runs for a short distance parallel to the upper end 33 ofthe outer packaging 28 and then to the upper end 33, forming a tear-offpart 56. The packaging pouch 10, in the region below the weakening line54, is provided with a tear notch and connected to the tear-off part 54,for example by hot-melt. When the tear-off part 56 is torn away, thepackaging pouch 10 also tears, and by further pulling of the tear-offpart 56 along the upper end 33 of the outer packaging 28, the packagingpouch 10 is opened close to the upper end. Therefore, the transversesealing seam 20 may be arranged just above the upper end 33, sopackaging material can be saved.

In the packaging unit shown in FIG. 15, the transverse sealing seam 20of the packaging pouch 20 is peelable in such a way that when thestraight fold edges g, h are pressed together in the arrow direction A,the separating force acting on the transverse sealing seam 20 in thearrow direction B is exceeded. During the transition of the outerpackaging 28 from the first into the second position, an automaticopening of the packaging pouch 10 therefore takes place. By selecting acorrespondingly stiff material for the outer packaging 28, thetransverse sealing seam 20 may have an adequately high adhesive forcefor many filling products. Apart from a peelable hot seal, a cold sealmay also be used, for example.

A special embodiment of an outer packaging 28 is shown in FIG. 16 to 19.Here, a part of the rear wall 32 in the form of a handle 44 projectsover the straight fold edge h. The fold edge h runs as a limiting lineto a narrow strip 35, which is glued to the inside of the rear wall 32to form the tubular outer packaging 28, in the front wall 30. The sidesd1, d2 adjacent to the handle, of the open ends 31, 33 are longer thanthe more distant sides c1, c2. When the straight fold edges g, h arepressed together in the arrow direction A, a concave outer face isproduced only on the side opposing the handle, so the ends 31, 33 of theouter packaging 28 form a pentagon. A packaging unit with a packagingpouch 10 and an outer packaging 28 according to FIG. 16 to 19, in thefirst position, produces a flat pouch packaging and, in the secondposition, a cup.

The handle 44 which is formed as an arched handle, can also beconfigured as a strip, which is parallel to the fold edge h andoptionally also separable from the outer packaging 28.

On tearing the opening part 26 away or on opening the packaging pouch 10by cutting away the pouch end, an opening 38 is produced in all theembodiments of the invention in the packaging pouch 10, said openingbeing able to be adjusted by pressing together the straight fold edgesg, h or the sealing seams 34, 35 of the outer packaging 28 in the arrowdirection A to the maximum opening size predetermined by the secondposition.

Further design possibilities of the outer packaging 28 are shown inFIGS. 20 and 21.

In the outer packaging 28 shown in FIG. 20, the arcuately curved foldedges i, k, l, m are severed in a region extending over the centre Mthereof, forming a slot-like recess 64. In the example shown, therecesses 64 in each case extend into the concavely curved outer faces37, 39. Instead of the recesses 64, only separating cuts may also beprovided in the curved fold edges. For example, three to five separatingcuts may be provided between the open ends 31, 33 in each of thearcuately curved fold edges i, k, l, m. These slot-like recesses 64 orseparating cuts can prevent the concavely curved outer faces 37, 39 fromspringing back from the folded open second position of the outerpackaging 28 even during strong pressing together of the two convexlycurved outer faces 41, 43.

Furthermore, it is provided in the outer packaging 28 shown in FIG. 20that on the end 31 forming the standing face, the edge of the convexlycurved outer faces 41, 43, between the fold edges i, k, or l, mbordering them, is provided with a curvature 66 pointing away from thestanding face. This produces a more stable standing face for the outerpackaging 28 in the folded open second position.

In the outer packaging 28 shown in FIG. 21, a base 68, which projectsfrom the edge of one of the convexly curved outer faces 41, 43, isprovided with an insertion flap 70 at the end 31 forming the standingface. The base 68 projects upwardly in the first, folded-togetherposition. When the outer packaging 28 is transferred from the first intothe second, folded open position, the base 68 folds down against thestanding face and the insertion flap 70 springs into an insertionopening 72 which is arranged in the opposing outer face 41, 43. The base68 gives the outer packaging 28 increased stability and improvedstanding ability. The base 68 also prevents the concavely curved outerfaces 37, 39 from springing back. The base 68 can also be configured asa conventional automatic base.

It should also be mentioned at this point that the radii of thearcuately curved fold edges i, k, l, m may also lie asymmetrically withrespect to the centre of the outer packaging 28, so that in the second,folded open position, for example, a square upper and a rectangularlower opening is produced.

All the elements contained in FIGS. 20 and 21, such as the recesses 64or part cuts in the curved fold edges i, k, l, m, the base 68 and thecurved edge 66, may be present in the outer packaging 28 individually orelse in any desired combination.

1. A packaging unit with a packaging pouch made of a flexible film-like first material and with a substantially dimensionally stable outer packaging made of a second material, in which the outer packaging is tubular with a tube axis and is configured with open ends and the ends, in the viewing direction of the tube axis, in a first position, form a polygon with at least two sides enclosing an angle a<180° and lying mirror-symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry and, in a second position, form a polygon with at least one side lying perpendicular to the plane of symmetry, wherein a straight fold edge runs in the first position between the corner points of the sides of the two ends lying mirror-symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry, and, in the second position, the sides of the two ends lying mirror mirror-symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry form an angle a=180°, wherein the outer packaging is adapted to be brought into the second position from the first position by pressing in the straight fold edge(s), and wherein at least two curved or two straight fold edges which are bent in the centre thereof run between the two ends in the first and second position in such a way that, in the second position, the outer face(s) of the outer packaging extending between the sides of the two ends lying perpendicular to the plane of symmetry is/are concavely curved or bent inwardly over two level part faces, wherein the outer packaging is divided along the straight fold edge(s) between the centre thereof and the open ends and at a spacing from the open ends and at a spacing from the centre over a part length.
 2. A packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the ends, in the first position, form a hexagon with two sides lying parallel and two respective sides enclosing an angle a<180° and lying mirror-symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry and, in the second position, form a quadrilateral with two sides lying parallel and two sides lying perpendicular to the plane of symmetry, wherein a straight fold edge, in each case, runs, in the first position, between the corner points of the sides of the two ends lying mirror-symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry, and, in the second position, the sides of the two ends lying mirror-symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry in each case form an angle a=180°, wherein the outer packaging is adapted to be brought into the second position from the first position by pressing the straight fold edges against one another.
 3. A packaging unit according to claim 2, wherein the curved fold edges or the straight fold edges which are bent in the centre run in the first and second position between the corner points of the sides of the two ends lying parallel to the plane of symmetry in such a way that, in the second position, the outer faces of the outer packaging extending between the sides of the two ends lying parallel to the plane of symmetry are convexly curved or bent outwardly over two level part faces and the outer faces of the outer packaging extending between the sides of the two ends lying perpendicular to the plane of symmetry are concavely curved or are bent inwardly over two level part faces.
 4. A packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein one end of the outer packaging provides a standing face for the packaging pouch projecting from the other end with a separable opening part.
 5. A packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the packaging pouch which is arranged in the outer packaging in a pouch longitudinal direction corresponding to the tube axis is at least partially fastened on the inside of the outer packaging.
 6. A packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the part lengths of the outer packaging separated along the straight fold edges are at least 20% of the length of the fold edges.
 7. A packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the part lengths of the outer packaging separated along the straight fold edges are spaced apart by at least 10% of the length of the fold edges from the centre thereof and the ends.
 8. A packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the outer packaging has openings consisting of two halves which are rotationally symmetrical with respect to the straight fold edges, the part lengths corresponding to connecting lines of the rotationally symmetrical halves of the openings.
 9. A packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the pouch material is a single-layer or multi-layer film made of plastics material and optionally laminated with a paper layer, or a paper laminated with plastics material, and wherein the outer packaging material is cardboard or a transparent or opaque plastics material.
 10. A packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the packaging pouch is fastened to the inner wall of the outer packaging by point-wise adhesive points.
 11. A packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the packaging pouch is a stand-up pouch, a tubular pouch or an extruded pouch.
 12. A packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the arcuately curved fold edges are severed in at least one region extending over at least the centre thereof, forming at least one slot-like recess or at least one separating cut.
 13. A packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the edge of the convexly curved outer faces between the fold edges bordering them is provided with a curvature pointing away from the standing face on the end forming a standing face.
 14. A packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein a base with an insertion flap or an automatic base is provided on the outer packaging.
 15. A method comprising using a packaging unit according to claim 1 to package a product. 